Every now and again I meet someone who follows the philosophy that cleaning a motorcycle is pointless unless it is being put in a show. It is true that it only gets immediately dirty again! However, wiping your bike down with a rag and bucket of water (as opposed to hosing it off) conveys a wealth of information that may otherwise go unnoticed until it is too late! So many breakdowns could be prevented with the knowledge gained from this simple task.
Long before the Motorcycle Safety Foundation developed the T-CLOCS checklist, even before MSF existed, we were taught to wipe our bikes down because in so doing we would find loose or missing nuts and bolts; fluid and air leaks; rust spots that were developing; and any other problems that might leave us stranded. Back then we could be anywhere out in the woods, and there were no cell phones! It was also a good time to check lights, oil, tire pressures and fill up with gasoline.
All too often, when a friend stops by and says "Let's ride!", the tendency is to just jump on the bike and go! Gas is usually the only thing we'll beg to make a stop for. I've seen friends lose tail light lenses, license plates, get pulled over for malfunctioning lights, and was even towed home through the trails at 2 am once myself, for not taking the time to do these checks!
Familiarize yourself with the checklist:
(http://msf-usa.org/downloads/T-CLOCS_Inspection_Checklist_2012.pdf), then get in the practice of properly bedding your steed down after a good ride. You'll both be happier for it!
Long before the Motorcycle Safety Foundation developed the T-CLOCS checklist, even before MSF existed, we were taught to wipe our bikes down because in so doing we would find loose or missing nuts and bolts; fluid and air leaks; rust spots that were developing; and any other problems that might leave us stranded. Back then we could be anywhere out in the woods, and there were no cell phones! It was also a good time to check lights, oil, tire pressures and fill up with gasoline.
All too often, when a friend stops by and says "Let's ride!", the tendency is to just jump on the bike and go! Gas is usually the only thing we'll beg to make a stop for. I've seen friends lose tail light lenses, license plates, get pulled over for malfunctioning lights, and was even towed home through the trails at 2 am once myself, for not taking the time to do these checks!
Familiarize yourself with the checklist:
(http://msf-usa.org/downloads/T-CLOCS_Inspection_Checklist_2012.pdf), then get in the practice of properly bedding your steed down after a good ride. You'll both be happier for it!